We Only Move When You Blink

Every night at 2:17 a.m., my phone lights up with a notification: “Don’t turn around.”

I thought it was a prank—until I noticed the time never changes. Last night,

curiosity won. I replied: Who is this? The typing bubble appeared instantly.

“I’m behind you.” My room was empty. Door locked. Window shut. Then my phone vibrated

again. “You checked too fast.” The lights flickered. My reflection in

the dark screen smiled before I did. Slowly… it raised a finger to its

lips. Another message came through. “We only move when you blink.”

My eyes burned. I tried to keep them open, counting seconds. 2:17 a.m.